Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod

A CONVERSATION WITH BISHOP AND MRS. MTENJI FROM OUR COMPANION SYNOD IN TANZANIA
Bishop Renard Mtenji and his wife, Rosemary Mtenji, Ulanga Kilombero Diocese in Tanzania
Northstar Room - Friday at 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM; Saturday at 11:00 AM and 4:30 PM
They will bring greetings to us from the students and teachers at Tumaini School and from the staff at Lugala Hospital. This is an opportunity to learn the latest news from our companions regarding Tumaini Lutheran School and Lugala Hospital. Hear about the progress of the Dining/Assembly Hall at Tumaini School and the new Nursing School at Lugala. This is also an opportunity to hear the latest plans regarding the Synod trip planned for August and discover other ways in which we can become involved with our companions.

BUDGET HEARING
Tami McHugh, Synod Treasurer and members of the Finance Committee
Riverside Boardroom – Friday at 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM
This hearing is a chance to ask questions of the Finance Committee about the budget and other synod financial matters.

CHANGING LIVES…A DIME AT A TIME!
Margie Fiedler, Mission Investment Fund
Emerald Room – Friday at 2:30 PM
Lives are changed through the mission we do in our congregations and ELCA ministries.  Sometimes new or improved facilities are needed to support these endeavors.  Hear stories on how you can invest for the sake of mission, while you save for retirement, college, etc.  As one person put it, “I would rather help build food banks and seminaries that strip malls!  That’s why I invest with the Mission Investment Fund!”

CONVERSATION WITH MARK ALLAN POWELL
Mark Allan Powell, Professor of New Testament, Trinity Lutheran Seminary
Cinnabar Room – Saturday at 11:00 AM
This workshop time will allow participants to talk with Dr. Powell in a smaller group about matters raised in his keynote addresses -- or about other subjects on which he has written (over 25 books on the Bible) or teaches.  He is particularly well known for drawing on modern literary criticism to understand Bible stories, for his work in spiritual direction, and for teaching on biblical stewardship.  He is also an expert on "twentieth-century Christian rock music" (in other words, he's a little out of date, but knows that old stuff!).

CREATING THE JOURNEY TO JOY:  THROUGH THE HONORING OF THE POSITIVE STORY LINES OF OUR LIVES
Laurie Jo Kark, Program Director and Charlotte Combe, Program Specialist; Lutheran Community Services Northwest
Delamar Room – Saturday at 4:30 PM
We all have a story that we repeat whenever we meet a stranger.  Our personal stories include a smattering of events that started from very early in our young lives.  What events we choose to remember and repeat are significant.  Working with children in our positive action program, we teach children how to create their stories by what they choose to think, do and feel.  We teach them the skills for building stories that keep them strong in the face of adversity.  Join us as we look at the patterns of how we choose which events define us, what we can do to recreate our stories and how these same skills support the children in our lives  in the building of their healthy identities.

EMERGING MISSIONAL CONVERSATION
Erik Samuelson, Pastor, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Spokane
Clearwater Room – Saturday at 11:00 AM and 4:30 PM
You've noticed that the world is changing faster and faster and that your church is struggling to keep up.  Over the years you've heard people who claim to have all the answers and offer programs to "fix" your church's woes and guarantee church growth, but they just don't seem to be all they are cracked up to be. You've heard terms such as "missional", "emergent", "emerging", "ancient/future" and how people under 40 are now flocking to churches that use these adjectives that are led by hip tattooed pastors with horn-rimmed glasses who sit on couches in coffee shops.  Come to this workshop to learn the six step method guaranteed to turn your church into the coolest emergent church in town and increase membership in your congregation by at least triple...yeah, not really.  Instead, come and be a part of the conversation about the "emerging missional church".  We'll look at the words and concepts of the emerging missional movement and explore together "What does this mean?" (and "What does this mean for us as Lutherans?").  You'll also find resources to continue the conversation about how we live together as followers of Jesus, seeking to be a part of what God is up to in the world. Horn-rimmed glasses not required.

ENVIRONMENTALISM FOR LUTHERANS
Steve Knick, Supervisory Research Ecologist, USGS
Garnet Room- Saturday at 11:00 AM
God's command given to man in Genesis was to be fruitful and multiply, replenish the earth and subdue it, and to have dominion over every living thing.  We face numerous environmental challenges as the earth's population expands and uses its resources.  Energy shortages and the search for alternative sources, the debate over man's role in changing the planet's climate, carbon costs and the movement towards "locally grown" and sustainable harvests all affect our lives.  We will discuss some of the primary issues and ways that we can replenish and not simply subdue the earth.

ETHICS OF EATING - FARM WORKERS PANEL
Vivian Parrish, Moderator, Idaho Interfaith Roundtable Against Hunger
Topaz Room – Saturday at 11:00 AM
Why should we care about Farm Workers from our faith context?  How might Christ live in us in the hearing of their stories?  This panel discussion will include: 
• Dunnia Aplicano, Farm Worker Monitor Advocate, Idaho Department of Labor
• Mercedes Hernandez, current farm worker
• Erik Johnson, Director, Migrant Farmworkers Law Unit
• Leo Morales, Idaho Community Action Network
• Irma Morin, Director, Community Council of Idaho

FAITH GIVEN, GROWN AND TESTED
Tim Imbrock, Mission Aviation Fellowship
Opal Room – Saturday 4:30 PM
Tim Imbrock will speak about his journey of faith as a mission pilot in Papua New Guinea.  His stories of faith will encourage and challenge you.  We have a God of might and power, who works miraculously in our day.
 
FEEDING MOUTHS, CHANGING HEARTS
A Panel from Local Churches
Garnet Room – Saturday at 4:30 PM
Members from Boise area churches will discuss what they are doing to meet the needs in their particular community.  From free meals, to community gardens and food banks, a variety of ministries will be discussed and stories of changed hearts will be shared.  If you are looking for ways to connect with your neighborhood or wonder how you can create a new ministry in our congregation this will be the workshop for you.

FRIENDSHIP CLINIC
Marie Blanchard from All Saints Episcopal Church and Katie Davis from Redeemer Lutheran Church
Riverside Boardroom – Saturday at 11:00 AM
Come listen to the exciting story of how one group of Christians found a way to “Live Christ” in their neighborhood.  Marie has been there from the beginning.  Their mission is to provide free basic health care service to low income individuals and families who have no or inadequate insurance coverage with emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention. 

GARDEN CITY COMMUNITY CLINIC
Hillary Roethlisberger, LCSW, Director of Local Operations, Genesis World Mission
Garnet Room – Friday at 2:30 PM
The Garden City Community Clinic is part of Genesis World Mission.  Based right here in Garden City, Genesis World Mission is a non-denominational Christian organization working to convey the love of Jesus Christ by meeting the physical, medical, and spiritual needs of the less fortunate, both globally and locally.  Garden City Community Clinic (GCCC) provides medical services to low-income, uninsured patients by utilizing volunteer health care professionals. Care includes treatment of acute non-emergent and limited chronic illnesses, medications, and referrals for specialty care. On-site basic dental services, social work consultations, patient medical education, and mental health counseling are also available.

IT’S OUR FAULT!
Kathie Slusser, Mission Aviation Fellowship
Opal Room – Saturday 11:00 AM
There’s a church leadership shortage? Two to three million pastors have little or no formal training? It’s partly MAF’s fault! God has privileged Mission Aviation Fellowship for nearly 65 years to fly missionaries and evangelists into remote areas of the world. By His grace, people come to know Christ. As the number of believers increases, the intense need for discipleship and leadership is felt, but supply has not kept up with demand. Now, as national believers want to grow and pastor their people, MAF is again privileged to help meet the need to resource and train isolated and remote church leaders by applying new technologies. We are blessed to relate the stories God is telling!

JESUS ADVOCATES FOR US – WE CAN ADVOCATE FOR OTHERS
Vivian Parrish, Idaho Interfaith Roundtable Against Hunger & Paul Benz, Lutheran Public Policy Office
Topaz Room – Friday at 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM
The two feet of service are: Direct Service & Advocacy (which = Mercy & Justice).  Mercy comes with many outreaches of direct services.  What about the justice work on root causes of problems?  Come learn the stories of the how’s, why’s, & myths of doing advocating on issues of public policy in the church.   What help is there for us to be a voice for justice?  Can we really do this in the church?  How do we get started?  Does it make a difference?  Hear stories of successes & how just a few people advocating, can make a great difference.  Let us affirm our baptism words….”to strive for justice and peace in all the earth”.
 
JESUS, JUSTICE AND JAZZ IN THE VALLEY
Youth that Attended the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans
Delamar Room – Saturday at 11:00 AM
Youth will reflect on their experiences at the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans and how it has impacted what they have done back home in the Treasure Valley. 

LUTHERAN BUZZWORDS: FOUR THINGS YOU OFTEN HEAR LUTHERANS SAY ABOUT THE BIBLE
Mark Allan Powell, Professor of New Testament, Trinity Lutheran Seminary
Cinnabar Room – Saturday at 4:30 PM
All Christians say that the Bible is the Word of God . . . but what do they mean by that?  There are a lot of different Christians in the world, and some of them say things about the Bible that you don't often hear in Lutheran churches.  Lutheran Bible professor Mark Allan Powell will rehearse four things that Lutherans "typically and traditionally" say about the Bible . . . though as he points out, "one more thing Lutherans believe is, not everyone should be typical or traditional!" 

LUTHERANS AND RELIGIOUS TRENDS IN THE UNITED STATES
Kenneth Innskeep, ELCA Executive for Research and Evaluation
Liberty Room – Friday at 1:00 PM; Saturday at 11:00 AM
What are the trends?  Why do people come to church?  Who's growing and why?  In this religious marketplace, can Lutherans be "competitive"?  This workshop will help answer these questions.

STARFISH NOT SPIDERS
Helga Jansons, Director for Evangelical Mission
Emerald Room – Saturday at 4:30 PM
"If you cut off a spider's head it dies, but if you cut off a starfish's leg it grows a new one, and the leg can grow into an entirely new starfish" (from 'The Starfish and the Spider' by Ori Brafman and Rod Beckstrom). This model of leadership is one that is collaborative and uses networking rather than a top down approach. The synod's new mission and stewardship strategy over the next few years will engage lay and clergy leaders to form starfish-like "Synodical Mission Tables." Come, join the conversation and become part of the network of those who will discern God's future of transformation on a larger scale.

SYNOD ASSEMBLY ORIENTATION
Mark Nelson, Assistant to the Bishop, Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod
Cinnabar Room – Friday at 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM
Never been to a Synod Assembly before?   Wondering about the packet with all of the information you have received? What's an electronic voting machine? What are Robert's Rules?  How do I amend a resolution?  When do we use voting cards?  How do I go about speaking at the microphone?  By the way, where is the bathroom?  Led by a veteran of many assemblies and meetings, these and many other interesting items will be discussed at the Orientation Workshop.  There will be plenty of time for Q and A, too.  We'll have a great time together, and you'll be ready to serve as a voting member of our Assembly!

THE FUTURE OF THE "ECOLOGY" OF THE ELCA
Kenneth Innskeep, ELCA Executive for Research and Evaluation
Liberty Room, Friday 2:30 PM; Saturday, 4:30 PM
Get involved in discussing the future of the ELCA.  Come discuss such questions as:  Does it matter if the ELCA exists? Who are we?  Who should we be?

THRIVENT BUILDS
Jim James, Thrivent Builds Representative and Volunteer, Redeemer Lutheran Church
Opal Room – Friday at 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM
Thrivent Financial sponsors the construction of hundreds of Habitat homes annually and seeks to engage thousands of volunteers in Habitat home-building projects. Sixty five percent of the funding for each Thrivent Builds home comes from Thrivent Financial with 35 percent of the remaining funding coming from the continuing fund-raising efforts of local Thrivent chapters and Habitat for Humanity affiliates.  Come hear about the experience here in Boise and what the build has meant to one family as the homeowner tells his story.

TRINITY COMMUNITY GARDENS IN NAMPA, IDAHO
Dale Anderson, Advanced Master Gardener
Topaz Room – Saturday at 4:30 PM
Come talk with Advance Master Gardener Dale Anderson.  Hear how he went from growing a little garden in his yard to growing food to feed fellow Idahoans.  Last year we grew and harvested 66,000 pounds of food.

WHAT CAN THE DIRECTOR FOR EVANGELICAL MISSION DO FOR YOUR CHURCH?
Helga Jansons, Director for Evangelical Mission
Emerald Room – Friday at 1:00 PM; Saturday at 11:00 AM
Pastor Helga Jansons will introduce herself and her role in the synod as coach, scout, midwife and 'Metamucil'.  Learn about redeveloping congregations, evangelical mission, starting new ministries, ethnic strategies, emergent churches, developing guiding principles and synodical mission tables; the new ELCA strategy for mission and stewardship.